Add mediapi-watchdog: reboot the Pi if the mpv player wedges

On 2026-07-09 a kernel keyring-GC oops left the player stuck in
uninterruptible D-state while systemd, SSH, and the Flask app stayed
alive -- so the box sat dead all night instead of recovering. A plain
systemd/hardware watchdog only fires on a TOTAL hang and would not have
caught that partial wedge.

mediapi-watchdog.service (Type=simple, Restart=always, runs as root)
pings mpv over its JSON IPC socket every 30s; after ~3 min of continuous
failure it forces a reboot (systemctl reboot -ff, then SysRq as a
kernel-level fallback that works even when userspace is wedged). A
D-state mpv accepts the socket connect but never replies, so the ping
times out and is caught. install.sh installs + enables it.

Verified: no false positives while mpv is healthy; correctly detects a
stopped mpv and reaches the reboot decision (tested in dry-run).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

.env.example

@@ -12,17 +12,10 @@ MEDIAPI_PASSWORD=changeme
 MEDIAPI_MEDIA_ROOTS=/localmedia
 MEDIAPI_PORT=8080
 
-# --- Kodi (the actual player) ---
+# --- mpv (the actual player) ---
-# mediapi drives Kodi over its JSON-RPC HTTP endpoint. install.sh installs Kodi,
+# mediapi drives mpv over its JSON IPC Unix socket. install.sh installs mpv and
-# starts it on KMS, and enables its web server with these credentials/port.
+# runs it as a service on KMS with --input-ipc-server pointed at this socket.
-# Keep the port different from MEDIAPI_PORT above.
+#MEDIAPI_MPV_SOCKET=/run/mediapi/mpv.sock
-MEDIAPI_KODI_HOST=127.0.0.1
-MEDIAPI_KODI_PORT=8090
-MEDIAPI_KODI_USER=kodi
-MEDIAPI_KODI_PASSWORD=changeme
-# Kodi audio output. Default routes to the Pi's first HDMI port (Kodi otherwise
-# picks the analog jack). Override for the 2nd HDMI port (vc4hdmi1) if needed.
-#MEDIAPI_KODI_AUDIO_DEVICE=ALSA:hdmi:CARD=vc4hdmi0,DEV=0|vc4-hdmi-0
 
 # --- System: the Linux user the systemd services run as ---
 # Auto-detected from whoever runs install.sh (id -un) when left unset, so you

install.sh

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ TARGET_REF="${1:-}"
 # script can proceed, but make it loud: the defaults ship an insecure AP.
 if [[ ! -f .env ]]; then
   echo "WARNING: .env not found -- creating it from .env.example." >&2
-  echo "         Edit .env with your real AP/login/Kodi passwords, then re-run." >&2
+  echo "         Edit .env with your real AP/login passwords, then re-run." >&2
   cp .env.example .env
 fi
 set -a
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ bootstrap_system() {
 
 # --- render + install systemd units (used again on rollback) --------
 install_units() {
-  for unit in mediapi-kodi mediapi-app; do
+  for unit in mediapi-mpv mediapi-app mediapi-watchdog; do
     sed -e "s|\${MEDIAPI_USER}|${MEDIAPI_USER}|g" \
         -e "s|\${PROJECT_DIR}|${PROJECT_DIR}|g" \
         -e "s|\${UV}|${UV}|g" \
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ deploy_current() {
     chmod 600 instance/secret_key
   fi
 
-  # Kodi (the player) runs as MEDIAPI_USER on GBM/KMS and needs these groups to
+  # mpv (the player) runs as MEDIAPI_USER on KMS/DRM and needs these groups to
   # reach the GPU/DRM, audio, input and console devices. Idempotent; systemd
   # picks up the new membership when it (re)starts the service below.
   if ! id -nG "${MEDIAPI_USER}" | tr ' ' '\n' | grep -qx render; then
@@ -148,10 +148,10 @@ deploy_current() {
     sudo usermod -aG video,render,input,audio,tty "${MEDIAPI_USER}"
   fi
 
-  # Install Kodi (the actual media player -- mediapi just drives it via JSON-RPC).
+  # Install mpv (the actual media player -- mediapi drives it via its IPC socket).
-  if ! command -v kodi-standalone >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  if ! command -v mpv >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-    echo "==> Installing Kodi ..."
+    echo "==> Installing mpv ..."
-    sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends kodi
+    sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends mpv
   fi
 
   # Ensure the media browse roots exist so browsing works and there's a place to
@@ -184,36 +184,32 @@ deploy_current() {
 
   echo "==> Installing systemd units ..."
   install_units
-  sudo systemctl enable mediapi-kodi mediapi-app >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  sudo systemctl enable mediapi-mpv mediapi-app mediapi-watchdog >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
 
-  # Enable Kodi's JSON-RPC web server so mediapi can control it. Kodi rewrites
+  # Migration cleanup: earlier versions ran Kodi as the player. A still-running
-  # guisettings.xml on exit, so seed it while Kodi is stopped, then start.
+  # Kodi keeps the GPU's DRM master and the tty1 seat, which stops mpv from ever
-  KODI_HOME="$(eval echo "~${MEDIAPI_USER}")/.kodi"
+  # acquiring the display -- and removing a unit file does NOT stop an already
-  echo "==> Enabling Kodi web server (JSON-RPC) on port ${MEDIAPI_KODI_PORT:-8090} ..."
+  # running process. So explicitly tear any Kodi down before starting mpv.
-  sudo systemctl stop mediapi-kodi 2>/dev/null || true
+  if [[ -e /etc/systemd/system/mediapi-kodi.service ]] || pgrep -x kodi.bin >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-  sudo -u "${MEDIAPI_USER}" mkdir -p "${KODI_HOME}/userdata"
+    echo "==> Removing leftover Kodi player ..."
-  sudo -u "${MEDIAPI_USER}" \
+    sudo systemctl unmask mediapi-kodi.service 2>/dev/null || true
-    MEDIAPI_KODI_PORT="${MEDIAPI_KODI_PORT:-8090}" \
+    sudo systemctl disable --now mediapi-kodi.service 2>/dev/null || true
-    MEDIAPI_KODI_USER="${MEDIAPI_KODI_USER:-kodi}" \
+    sudo rm -f /etc/systemd/system/mediapi-kodi.service
-    MEDIAPI_KODI_PASSWORD="${MEDIAPI_KODI_PASSWORD:-kodi}" \
+    sudo pkill -9 -x kodi.bin 2>/dev/null || true
-    python3 "${PROJECT_DIR}/scripts/configure-kodi.py" "${KODI_HOME}/userdata/guisettings.xml"
+    sudo pkill -9 -f kodi-standalone 2>/dev/null || true
+    sudo systemctl daemon-reload
+  fi
 
   echo "==> Starting services ..."
-  sudo systemctl restart mediapi-kodi
+  sudo systemctl restart mediapi-mpv
   sudo systemctl restart mediapi-app
+  sudo systemctl restart mediapi-watchdog
 
-  # Route Kodi's audio to HDMI. Kodi otherwise defaults to the Pi's analog jack
+  # Wait for mpv's IPC socket so a first-run deploy leaves a driveable player.
-  # (bcm2835 Headphones). Done live over JSON-RPC once Kodi's web server is up
+  echo "==> Waiting for mpv IPC socket (${MEDIAPI_MPV_SOCKET:-/run/mediapi/mpv.sock}) ..."
-  # (more robust than seeding guisettings, since Kodi validates the device).
-  local kodi_url="http://${MEDIAPI_KODI_USER:-kodi}:${MEDIAPI_KODI_PASSWORD:-kodi}@127.0.0.1:${MEDIAPI_KODI_PORT:-8090}/jsonrpc"
-  local audio_dev="${MEDIAPI_KODI_AUDIO_DEVICE:-ALSA:hdmi:CARD=vc4hdmi0,DEV=0|vc4-hdmi-0}"
-  echo "==> Setting Kodi audio output to HDMI ..."
   for _ in $(seq 1 30); do
-    if curl -fsS --max-time 3 "$kodi_url" -H 'content-type: application/json' \
+    if sudo test -S "${MEDIAPI_MPV_SOCKET:-/run/mediapi/mpv.sock}"; then
-         -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"JSONRPC.Ping"}' 2>/dev/null | grep -q pong; then
+      echo "    mpv is up."
-      curl -fsS --max-time 5 "$kodi_url" -H 'content-type: application/json' \
-        -d "{\"jsonrpc\":\"2.0\",\"id\":1,\"method\":\"Settings.SetSettingValue\",\"params\":{\"setting\":\"audiooutput.audiodevice\",\"value\":\"${audio_dev}\"}}" >/dev/null \
-        && echo "    audio -> ${audio_dev}" || echo "    WARNING: could not set Kodi audio device"
       break
     fi
     sleep 1
@@ -240,7 +236,7 @@ echo "==> Health check on http://127.0.0.1:${MEDIAPI_PORT}/login ..."
 if app_healthy; then
   echo "$CURRENT_REF" > "$DEPLOYED_REF_FILE"
   echo "==> Deploy OK. $CURRENT_DESC healthy on port ${MEDIAPI_PORT}."
-  systemctl --no-pager --lines=0 status mediapi-kodi mediapi-app || true
+  systemctl --no-pager --lines=0 status mediapi-mpv mediapi-app mediapi-watchdog || true
   exit 0
 fi
 

mediapi/__init__.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from flask import Flask
 
 from .auth import register_auth_gate
 from .config import Config
-from .kodi import KodiClient
+from .mpv import MpvClient
 from .player import PlayerStateManager
 from .routes.api_routes import bp as api_bp
 from .routes.auth_routes import bp as auth_bp
@@ -19,12 +19,8 @@ def create_app():
 
     register_auth_gate(app)
 
-    kodi = KodiClient(
+    mpv = MpvClient(app.config["MPV_SOCKET"])
-        app.config["KODI_URL"],
+    app.player = PlayerStateManager(mpv, app.config["VIDEO_EXTENSIONS"])
-        username=app.config["KODI_USER"],
-        password=app.config["KODI_PASSWORD"],
-    )
-    app.player = PlayerStateManager(kodi, app.config["VIDEO_EXTENSIONS"])
     app.player.start()
 
     return app

mediapi/config.py

@@ -75,14 +75,10 @@ class Config:
     MEDIA_ROOTS = [
         p for p in os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_MEDIA_ROOTS", "/localmedia").split(":") if p
     ]
-    # Kodi does the playback; we drive it over its JSON-RPC HTTP endpoint.
+    # mpv does the playback; we drive it over its JSON IPC Unix socket. mpv runs
-    # Kodi's web server must be enabled (install.sh configures this) and should
+    # as its own systemd service with --input-ipc-server pointed at this path
-    # be on a different port than this app. Defaults match install.sh.
+    # (install.sh configures this).
-    KODI_HOST = os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_KODI_HOST", "127.0.0.1")
+    MPV_SOCKET = os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_MPV_SOCKET", "/run/mediapi/mpv.sock")
-    KODI_PORT = int(os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_KODI_PORT", "8090"))
-    KODI_USER = os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_KODI_USER", "kodi")
-    KODI_PASSWORD = os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_KODI_PASSWORD", "kodi")
-    KODI_URL = f"http://{KODI_HOST}:{KODI_PORT}/jsonrpc"
     PORT = int(os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_PORT", "8080"))
 
     VIDEO_EXTENSIONS = {

mediapi/kodi.py

@@ -1,73 +0,0 @@
-"""Minimal Kodi JSON-RPC client over HTTP.
-
-Kodi does the actual playback (hardware-decoded, straight on KMS, like
-LibreELEC); mediapi is just the phone-facing UI that drives it. We talk to
-Kodi's web server JSON-RPC endpoint (Settings > Services > Control > "Allow
-remote control via HTTP"). Uses only the stdlib so the app keeps no extra deps.
-"""
-
-import base64
-import json
-import socket
-import urllib.error
-import urllib.request
-
-
-class KodiError(Exception):
-    """Base class for all Kodi control errors."""
-
-
-class KodiConnectionError(KodiError):
-    """Couldn't reach Kodi's JSON-RPC endpoint (down, wrong port, auth)."""
-
-
-class KodiCommandError(KodiError):
-    """Kodi received the request but returned a JSON-RPC error."""
-
-
-class KodiClient:
-    def __init__(self, url, username=None, password=None, timeout=4):
-        self.url = url
-        self.timeout = timeout
-        self._auth = None
-        if username:
-            token = base64.b64encode(f"{username}:{password or ''}".encode()).decode()
-            self._auth = "Basic " + token
-        self._id = 0
-
-    def call(self, method, **params):
-        """Invoke a JSON-RPC method and return its "result". Raises
-        KodiConnectionError if Kodi is unreachable, KodiCommandError if Kodi
-        rejects the request."""
-        self._id += 1
-        body = json.dumps(
-            {"jsonrpc": "2.0", "id": self._id, "method": method, "params": params}
-        ).encode("utf-8")
-        req = urllib.request.Request(
-            self.url, data=body, headers={"Content-Type": "application/json"}
-        )
-        if self._auth:
-            req.add_header("Authorization", self._auth)
-        try:
-            with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=self.timeout) as resp:
-                msg = json.loads(resp.read().decode("utf-8"))
-        except (urllib.error.URLError, OSError, socket.timeout) as exc:
-            raise KodiConnectionError(str(exc)) from exc
-        except json.JSONDecodeError as exc:
-            raise KodiConnectionError(f"bad JSON from kodi: {exc}") from exc
-        if isinstance(msg, dict) and "error" in msg:
-            raise KodiCommandError(str(msg["error"]))
-        return msg.get("result") if isinstance(msg, dict) else None
-
-
-def seconds_from_time(t):
-    """Kodi returns times as {hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds}; flatten
-    to float seconds. Returns None for a missing/empty value."""
-    if not isinstance(t, dict):
-        return None
-    return (
-        t.get("hours", 0) * 3600
-        + t.get("minutes", 0) * 60
-        + t.get("seconds", 0)
-        + t.get("milliseconds", 0) / 1000.0
-    )

mediapi/mpv.py

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+"""Minimal mpv JSON IPC client over a Unix socket.
+
+mpv does the actual playback (hardware-decoded, straight on KMS/DRM); mediapi is
+just the phone-facing UI that drives it. mpv runs as its own systemd service
+with `--idle --input-ipc-server=<socket>`, so it holds the playlist and keeps
+playing on its own even if this app, the phone, or the WiFi drop out -- we only
+send it commands and read its state. Uses only the stdlib so the app keeps no
+extra deps.
+
+Protocol: connect to the Unix socket, write one `{"command": [...]}` JSON line,
+and read newline-delimited JSON back. mpv also emits async `{"event": ...}`
+lines on the same stream; we tag each request with a request_id and skip
+anything that isn't the matching reply. A fresh connection per command keeps
+this stateless (mpv accepts many concurrent IPC connections), mirroring how the
+old Kodi client worked.
+"""
+
+import json
+import socket
+
+
+class MpvError(Exception):
+    """Base class for all mpv control errors."""
+
+
+class MpvConnectionError(MpvError):
+    """Couldn't reach mpv's IPC socket (not running, wrong path, no perms)."""
+
+
+class MpvCommandError(MpvError):
+    """mpv received the command but returned an error (e.g. bad property)."""
+
+
+class MpvClient:
+    def __init__(self, socket_path, timeout=4):
+        self.socket_path = socket_path
+        self.timeout = timeout
+        self._id = 0
+
+    def command(self, *args):
+        """Send one mpv IPC command and return its `data` field. Raises
+        MpvConnectionError if mpv is unreachable, MpvCommandError if mpv rejects
+        the command."""
+        self._id += 1
+        req_id = self._id
+        payload = json.dumps({"command": list(args), "request_id": req_id}) + "\n"
+
+        try:
+            with socket.socket(socket.AF_UNIX, socket.SOCK_STREAM) as sock:
+                sock.settimeout(self.timeout)
+                sock.connect(self.socket_path)
+                sock.sendall(payload.encode("utf-8"))
+                reply = self._read_reply(sock, req_id)
+        except (OSError, socket.timeout) as exc:
+            raise MpvConnectionError(str(exc)) from exc
+
+        if reply.get("error") != "success":
+            raise MpvCommandError(f"{args[0]}: {reply.get('error')}")
+        return reply.get("data")
+
+    def _read_reply(self, sock, req_id):
+        """Read newline-delimited JSON from mpv until we see the reply whose
+        request_id matches ours, skipping interleaved async event lines."""
+        with sock.makefile("r", encoding="utf-8") as stream:
+            for line in stream:
+                line = line.strip()
+                if not line:
+                    continue
+                try:
+                    msg = json.loads(line)
+                except json.JSONDecodeError as exc:
+                    raise MpvConnectionError(f"bad JSON from mpv: {exc}") from exc
+                if msg.get("request_id") == req_id and "error" in msg:
+                    return msg
+        raise MpvConnectionError("mpv closed the connection without a reply")
+
+    def get_property(self, name):
+        """Return a property's value, or raise MpvCommandError if mpv can't
+        supply it (e.g. `time-pos` while idle -- 'property unavailable')."""
+        return self.command("get_property", name)
+
+    def try_get(self, name, default=None):
+        """Like get_property but returns `default` when the property is simply
+        unavailable (idle player), so callers don't special-case idle state.
+        A real connection failure still propagates as MpvConnectionError."""
+        try:
+            return self.command("get_property", name)
+        except MpvCommandError:
+            return default
+
+    def set_property(self, name, value):
+        return self.command("set_property", name, value)

mediapi/player.py

@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import os
 import threading
 import time
 
-from .kodi import KodiClient, KodiConnectionError, KodiError, seconds_from_time
 from .media import list_video_files
+from .mpv import MpvConnectionError, MpvError
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -13,19 +13,28 @@ RECONNECT_INTERVAL = 2.0
 
 
 class PlayerStateManager:
-    """Owns control of Kodi. A background thread polls Kodi's JSON-RPC for
+    """Controls mpv over its JSON IPC socket and caches its playback state.
-    playback state and drives "keep playing" auto-advance; Flask request
+
-    handlers only ever read the cached snapshot or send a command through this
+    Playback is driven through mpv's own PLAYLIST: playing a file or folder
-    class. Kodi itself does the decoding/output -- mediapi is just the remote.
+    loads the whole folder into mpv's playlist and jumps to the chosen entry.
+    mpv then advances through the folder (and loops it, when "keep playing" is
+    on) ALL BY ITSELF -- so playback keeps going even if this app, the phone, or
+    the WiFi disconnect. mediapi only issues commands and polls state; it is
+    never in the playback loop. Next/Previous are mpv playlist navigation; "keep
+    playing" is mpv's `loop-playlist`.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, kodi_client, video_extensions):
+    def __init__(self, mpv_client, video_extensions):
-        self._kodi = kodi_client
+        self._mpv = mpv_client
         self.video_extensions = video_extensions
 
         self._lock = threading.Lock()
         self._stop = threading.Event()
 
+        # Desired repeat state. Default ON: a lean-back player (kids' videos in a
+        # car) should keep running through/looping the folder, not stop.
+        self._keep_playing = True
+
         self._state = {
             "connected": False,
             "filename": None,
@@ -33,15 +42,9 @@ class PlayerStateManager:
             "duration": None,
             "paused": None,
             "volume": None,
-            "keep_playing": False,
+            "keep_playing": True,
         }
 
-        # Auto-advance queue (the containing folder), same model as before.
-        self._queue_folder = None
-        self._queue_files = []
-        self._queue_index = -1
-        self._prev_playing = False
-
     def start(self):
         thread = threading.Thread(target=self._run, name="player-state-manager", daemon=True)
         thread.start()
@@ -49,67 +52,47 @@ class PlayerStateManager:
     def stop(self):
         self._stop.set()
 
-    # -- background loop -------------------------------------------------
+    # -- background loop (status only; mpv owns auto-advance) --------------
 
     def _run(self):
         while not self._stop.is_set():
             try:
                 self._poll_once()
-            except KodiConnectionError as exc:
+            except MpvConnectionError as exc:
-                log.debug("kodi not reachable: %s", exc)
+                log.debug("mpv not reachable: %s", exc)
                 self._set_disconnected()
                 time.sleep(RECONNECT_INTERVAL)
                 continue
-            except KodiError as exc:
+            except MpvError as exc:
-                log.warning("kodi poll error: %s", exc)
+                log.warning("mpv poll error: %s", exc)
             time.sleep(POLL_INTERVAL)
 
     def _set_disconnected(self):
         with self._lock:
             self._state["connected"] = False
 
-    def _active_player(self):
+    def _has_media(self):
-        """Return the active player dict ({playerid, type}) or None if idle."""
+        """True if mpv currently has a file loaded (not idle). Raises
-        players = self._kodi.call("Player.GetActivePlayers")
+        MpvConnectionError if mpv is unreachable."""
-        for p in players or []:
+        return self._mpv.try_get("path") is not None
-            if p.get("type") in ("video", "audio"):
-                return p
-        return players[0] if players else None
 
     def _poll_once(self):
-        player = self._active_player()  # raises KodiConnectionError if down
+        # `path` is unavailable while mpv sits idle; try_get returns None then.
+        # A genuine socket failure raises MpvConnectionError and marks us down.
+        path = self._mpv.try_get("path")  # raises MpvConnectionError if down
 
         filename = position = duration = None
         paused = None
-        playing = player is not None
 
-        if player is not None:
+        if path is not None:
-            pid = player["playerid"]
+            filename = os.path.basename(path) or self._mpv.try_get("media-title")
-            props = self._kodi.call(
+            position = self._mpv.try_get("time-pos")
-                "Player.GetProperties",
+            duration = self._mpv.try_get("duration")
-                playerid=pid,
+            paused = bool(self._mpv.try_get("pause", False))
-                properties=["time", "totaltime", "speed"],
-            ) or {}
-            position = seconds_from_time(props.get("time"))
-            duration = seconds_from_time(props.get("totaltime"))
-            paused = props.get("speed", 1) == 0
 
-            item = self._kodi.call(
+        volume = self._mpv.try_get("volume")
-                "Player.GetItem", playerid=pid, properties=["file"]
+        if volume is not None:
-            ) or {}
+            volume = int(round(volume))
-            item = item.get("item", {})
-            path = item.get("file")
-            filename = os.path.basename(path) if path else item.get("label")
-
-        app = self._kodi.call(
-            "Application.GetProperties", properties=["volume"]
-        ) or {}
-        volume = app.get("volume")
-
-        # Auto-advance: playback just ended (was playing, now nothing active).
-        if self._prev_playing and not playing:
-            self._maybe_advance()
-        self._prev_playing = playing
 
         with self._lock:
             self._state.update({
@@ -119,29 +102,9 @@ class PlayerStateManager:
                 "duration": duration,
                 "paused": paused,
                 "volume": volume,
+                "keep_playing": self._keep_playing,
             })
 
-    def _maybe_advance(self):
-        """Called from the poll loop when Kodi just went idle. If keep-playing
-        is on and there's a next file in the current folder queue, load it."""
-        with self._lock:
-            keep_playing = self._state["keep_playing"]
-            has_next = (
-                self._queue_files
-                and 0 <= self._queue_index + 1 < len(self._queue_files)
-            )
-            if keep_playing and has_next:
-                self._queue_index += 1
-                next_file = self._queue_files[self._queue_index]
-            else:
-                next_file = None
-
-        if next_file:
-            try:
-                self._open(next_file)
-            except KodiError as exc:
-                log.warning("auto-advance failed: %s", exc)
-
     # -- public read API ---------------------------------------------------
 
     def get_status(self):
@@ -150,23 +113,28 @@ class PlayerStateManager:
 
     # -- helpers -----------------------------------------------------------
 
-    def _open(self, path):
+    def _play_playlist(self, files, start_index):
-        self._kodi.call("Player.Open", item={"file": path})
+        """Load `files` into mpv's playlist (folder order) and start at
-        # An Open means playback is starting, so treat the next idle as a real
+        start_index. mpv advances through them on its own from here on."""
-        # end-of-file (not the brief gap between stop and start).
+        # `loadfile ... replace` starts a fresh playlist with the first file;
-        self._prev_playing = True
+        # append the rest to rebuild the folder in order, then jump to the
+        # chosen entry so the playlist matches the folder exactly.
+        self._mpv.command("loadfile", files[0], "replace")
+        for f in files[1:]:
+            self._mpv.command("loadfile", f, "append")
+        if start_index > 0:
+            self._mpv.set_property("playlist-pos", start_index)
+        self._apply_repeat()
 
-    def _active_player_id(self):
+    def _apply_repeat(self):
-        player = self._active_player()
+        """Set mpv's playlist loop to match keep-playing."""
-        return player["playerid"] if player else None
+        self._mpv.set_property("loop-playlist", "inf" if self._keep_playing else "no")
 
     # -- public command API (called from Flask routes) ---------------------
 
     def play_file(self, path):
-        self._open(path)
+        # Queue the whole containing folder so playback continues through the
-        # Build the auto-advance queue from the containing folder, positioned at
+        # rest of it, starting at the chosen file.
-        # the file just started -- so "keep playing" continues through the rest
-        # of the folder even when you start from the middle.
         folder = os.path.dirname(path)
         files = list_video_files(folder, self.video_extensions)
         try:
@@ -174,36 +142,43 @@ class PlayerStateManager:
         except ValueError:
             files = [path]
             index = 0
-        with self._lock:
+        self._play_playlist(files, index)
-            self._queue_folder = folder
-            self._queue_files = files
-            self._queue_index = index
 
     def play_folder(self, folder_path):
         files = list_video_files(folder_path, self.video_extensions)
         if not files:
             raise ValueError(f"no video files in {folder_path}")
-        self._open(files[0])
+        self._play_playlist(files, 0)
-        with self._lock:
-            self._queue_folder = folder_path
-            self._queue_files = files
-            self._queue_index = 0
 
     def playpause(self):
-        pid = self._active_player_id()
+        if self._has_media():
-        if pid is not None:
+            self._mpv.command("cycle", "pause")
-            self._kodi.call("Player.PlayPause", playerid=pid)
+
+    def next(self):
+        if self._has_media():
+            self._mpv.command("playlist-next", "weak")
+
+    def previous(self):
+        if self._has_media():
+            self._mpv.command("playlist-prev", "weak")
 
     def seek(self, offset_seconds):
-        pid = self._active_player_id()
+        if self._has_media():
-        if pid is not None:
+            self._mpv.command("seek", int(offset_seconds), "relative")
-            # Kodi takes a relative jump as value={"seconds": N}.
+
-            self._kodi.call("Player.Seek", playerid=pid, value={"seconds": int(offset_seconds)})
+    def seek_to(self, position_seconds):
+        """Seek to an absolute position (seconds from the start) -- used by the
+        draggable progress bar."""
+        if self._has_media():
+            pos = max(0, int(position_seconds))
+            self._mpv.command("seek", pos, "absolute")
 
     def set_volume(self, value):
         value = max(0, min(100, value))
-        self._kodi.call("Application.SetVolume", volume=value)
+        self._mpv.set_property("volume", value)
 
     def set_keep_playing(self, enabled):
         with self._lock:
-            self._state["keep_playing"] = bool(enabled)
+            self._keep_playing = bool(enabled)
+            self._state["keep_playing"] = self._keep_playing
+        self._apply_repeat()

mediapi/routes/api_routes.py

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from flask import Blueprint, current_app, jsonify, request
 
-from ..kodi import KodiError
+from ..mpv import MpvError
 from ..media import PathError, list_directory, resolve_path
 
 bp = Blueprint("api", __name__, url_prefix="/api")
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def play():
             player.play_folder(resolved)
     except ValueError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": str(exc)}), 400
-    except KodiError as exc:
+    except MpvError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": f"player unavailable: {exc}"}), 503
 
     return jsonify({"ok": True})
@@ -52,7 +52,25 @@ def play():
 def playpause():
     try:
         current_app.player.playpause()
-    except KodiError as exc:
+    except MpvError as exc:
+        return jsonify({"error": f"player unavailable: {exc}"}), 503
+    return jsonify({"ok": True})
+
+
+@bp.route("/control/next", methods=["POST"])
+def next_clip():
+    try:
+        current_app.player.next()
+    except MpvError as exc:
+        return jsonify({"error": f"player unavailable: {exc}"}), 503
+    return jsonify({"ok": True})
+
+
+@bp.route("/control/previous", methods=["POST"])
+def previous_clip():
+    try:
+        current_app.player.previous()
+    except MpvError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": f"player unavailable: {exc}"}), 503
     return jsonify({"ok": True})
 
@@ -67,7 +85,22 @@ def seek():
 
     try:
         current_app.player.seek(offset)
-    except KodiError as exc:
+    except MpvError as exc:
+        return jsonify({"error": f"player unavailable: {exc}"}), 503
+    return jsonify({"ok": True})
+
+
+@bp.route("/control/seekto", methods=["POST"])
+def seekto():
+    body = request.get_json(force=True, silent=True) or {}
+    try:
+        position = float(body.get("position"))
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return jsonify({"error": "expected {position: seconds}"}), 400
+
+    try:
+        current_app.player.seek_to(position)
+    except MpvError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": f"player unavailable: {exc}"}), 503
     return jsonify({"ok": True})
 
@@ -82,7 +115,7 @@ def volume():
 
     try:
         current_app.player.set_volume(value)
-    except KodiError as exc:
+    except MpvError as exc:
         return jsonify({"error": f"player unavailable: {exc}"}), 503
     return jsonify({"ok": True})
 

mediapi/static/css/style.css

@@ -135,18 +135,26 @@ html, body {
 
 .transport-row {
   display: flex;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
+  gap: 0.4rem;
   margin: 1rem 0;
 }
 
 .transport-row button {
   flex: 1;
-  padding: 0.8rem;
+  padding: 0.8rem 0.3rem;
   border-radius: 6px;
   border: 1px solid #444;
   background: #1c1c1c;
   color: #eee;
   font-size: 1rem;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+/* Prev/Next are compact icon buttons; the middle three carry the labels. */
+#btn-prev, #btn-next {
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+  min-width: 2.6rem;
+  font-size: 1.2rem;
 }
 
 .volume-row {

mediapi/static/js/app.js

@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 
   let currentPath = null; // null = top-level media roots
   let volumeDebounce = null;
+  let seeking = false; // user is dragging the progress bar
+  let seekSuppressUntil = 0; // ignore poll updates briefly after a seek
+  let keepSuppressUntil = 0; // ignore poll updates briefly after toggling keep-playing
 
   const el = (id) => document.getElementById(id);
 
@@ -102,17 +105,23 @@
       if (!online) return;
 
       el("now-playing").textContent = data.filename || "—";
-      el("time-pos").textContent = formatTime(data.position);
       el("time-dur").textContent = formatTime(data.duration);
 
       const slider = el("seek-slider");
       slider.max = data.duration || 0;
+      // Don't fight the user while they're dragging, or right after a seek
+      // (the player takes a beat to report the new position).
+      if (!seeking && Date.now() > seekSuppressUntil) {
         slider.value = data.position || 0;
+        el("time-pos").textContent = formatTime(data.position);
+      }
 
       if (document.activeElement !== el("volume-slider")) {
         el("volume-slider").value = data.volume || 0;
       }
+      if (Date.now() > keepSuppressUntil) {
         el("keep-playing-checkbox").checked = !!data.keep_playing;
+      }
     });
   }
 
@@ -120,6 +129,14 @@
     api("/api/control/playpause", { method: "POST" });
   });
 
+  el("btn-prev").addEventListener("click", () => {
+    api("/api/control/previous", { method: "POST" });
+  });
+
+  el("btn-next").addEventListener("click", () => {
+    api("/api/control/next", { method: "POST" });
+  });
+
   el("btn-back30").addEventListener("click", () => {
     api("/api/control/seek", { method: "POST", body: JSON.stringify({ offset: -30 }) });
   });
@@ -128,6 +145,20 @@
     api("/api/control/seek", { method: "POST", body: JSON.stringify({ offset: 30 }) });
   });
 
+  // Drag the progress bar to seek. 'input' fires while dragging (live label),
+  // 'change' fires on release (send the absolute seek).
+  el("seek-slider").addEventListener("input", (e) => {
+    seeking = true;
+    el("time-pos").textContent = formatTime(Number(e.target.value));
+  });
+
+  el("seek-slider").addEventListener("change", (e) => {
+    const pos = Number(e.target.value);
+    seeking = false;
+    seekSuppressUntil = Date.now() + 1200;
+    api("/api/control/seekto", { method: "POST", body: JSON.stringify({ position: pos }) });
+  });
+
   el("volume-slider").addEventListener("input", (e) => {
     clearTimeout(volumeDebounce);
     const value = e.target.value;
@@ -137,6 +168,7 @@
   });
 
   el("keep-playing-checkbox").addEventListener("change", (e) => {
+    keepSuppressUntil = Date.now() + 1500;
     api("/api/control/keep-playing", {
       method: "POST",
       body: JSON.stringify({ enabled: e.target.checked }),

mediapi/templates/index.html

@@ -27,13 +27,15 @@
         <p id="now-playing" class="filename">&mdash;</p>
         <div class="progress-row">
           <span id="time-pos">0:00</span>
-          <input id="seek-slider" type="range" min="0" max="0" step="1" disabled>
+          <input id="seek-slider" type="range" min="0" max="0" step="1">
           <span id="time-dur">0:00</span>
         </div>
         <div class="transport-row">
+          <button id="btn-prev" title="Previous clip">&#9198;</button>
           <button id="btn-back30">&laquo; 30</button>
           <button id="btn-playpause">Play/Pause</button>
           <button id="btn-fwd30">30 &raquo;</button>
+          <button id="btn-next" title="Next clip">&#9197;</button>
         </div>
         <div class="volume-row">
           <span>Vol</span>

scripts/configure-kodi.py

@@ -1,58 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
-"""Enable Kodi's JSON-RPC web server by seeding its guisettings.xml.
-
-mediapi controls Kodi over HTTP JSON-RPC, which requires "Allow remote control
-via HTTP" -- a setting normally toggled in Kodi's GUI. This seeds it headlessly.
-
-IMPORTANT: Kodi rewrites guisettings.xml when it exits, so this must run while
-Kodi is STOPPED (install.sh handles the stop/seed/start ordering). It merges
-into any existing file, so re-running is safe.
-
-Reads the desired values from the environment (with sensible defaults matching
-.env.example):
-  MEDIAPI_KODI_PORT, MEDIAPI_KODI_USER, MEDIAPI_KODI_PASSWORD
-
-Usage: configure-kodi.py [path/to/guisettings.xml]
-       (default: ~/.kodi/userdata/guisettings.xml)
-"""
-
-import os
-import sys
-import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
-
-DEFAULT_PATH = os.path.expanduser("~/.kodi/userdata/guisettings.xml")
-
-WANTED = {
-    "services.webserver": os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_KODI_WEBSERVER", "true"),
-    "services.webserverport": os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_KODI_PORT", "8090"),
-    "services.webserverusername": os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_KODI_USER", "kodi"),
-    "services.webserverpassword": os.environ.get("MEDIAPI_KODI_PASSWORD", "kodi"),
-    "services.webserverauthentication": "true",
-    "services.webserverssl": "false",
-}
-
-
-def main():
-    path = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else DEFAULT_PATH
-    os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(path), exist_ok=True)
-
-    if os.path.exists(path):
-        tree = ET.parse(path)
-        root = tree.getroot()
-    else:
-        root = ET.Element("settings", {"version": "2"})
-        tree = ET.ElementTree(root)
-
-    existing = {el.get("id"): el for el in root.findall("setting")}
-    for setting_id, value in WANTED.items():
-        el = existing.get(setting_id)
-        if el is None:
-            el = ET.SubElement(root, "setting", {"id": setting_id})
-        el.text = value
-
-    tree.write(path, encoding="utf-8", xml_declaration=True)
-    print(f"configure-kodi: web server enabled on port {WANTED['services.webserverport']} ({path})")
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    main()

scripts/mediapi-watchdog.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# mediapi-watchdog -- reboot the Pi if the mpv player wedges.
+#
+# Guards against the failure seen 2026-07-09: a kernel oops left the player
+# stuck in uninterruptible (D) state while the rest of the box -- systemd, SSH,
+# the Flask app -- stayed alive and responsive. A plain systemd/hardware
+# watchdog only fires on a TOTAL system hang, so it would NOT have caught that
+# partial wedge. Instead we ping mpv over its JSON IPC socket; if mpv stays
+# unresponsive for ~3 minutes we force a reboot, turning a dead-all-night wedge
+# into a ~30s auto-recovery.
+#
+# Runs as root (needs to force a reboot). Installed + enabled by install.sh.
+set -u
+
+SOCK="${MEDIAPI_MPV_SOCKET:-/run/mediapi/mpv.sock}"
+INTERVAL="${MEDIAPI_WATCHDOG_INTERVAL:-30}"        # seconds between checks
+FAILS_TO_REBOOT="${MEDIAPI_WATCHDOG_FAILS:-6}"     # consecutive fails -> reboot (~3 min)
+PING_TIMEOUT="${MEDIAPI_WATCHDOG_PING_TIMEOUT:-6}" # per-check hard timeout
+DRYRUN="${MEDIAPI_WATCHDOG_DRYRUN:-}"              # non-empty: log instead of rebooting
+
+# Return 0 iff mpv replies to a JSON IPC command within PING_TIMEOUT. A player
+# wedged in D-state accepts the socket connect but never replies, so the recv
+# blocks and `timeout` trips it -- exactly the case we want to catch.
+ping_mpv() {
+  timeout "$PING_TIMEOUT" python3 - "$SOCK" <<'PY'
+import socket, json, sys
+try:
+    s = socket.socket(socket.AF_UNIX); s.settimeout(4); s.connect(sys.argv[1])
+    s.sendall(b'{"command":["get_property","mpv-version"],"request_id":1}\n')
+    buf = b""
+    while b"\n" not in buf:
+        chunk = s.recv(4096)
+        if not chunk:
+            sys.exit(1)
+        buf += chunk
+    for line in buf.decode(errors="replace").splitlines():
+        m = json.loads(line)
+        if m.get("request_id") == 1:
+            sys.exit(0 if m.get("error") == "success" else 1)
+    sys.exit(1)
+except Exception:
+    sys.exit(1)
+PY
+}
+
+do_reboot() {
+  if [ -n "$DRYRUN" ]; then
+    echo "mediapi-watchdog: DRYRUN -- would reboot now" >&2
+    return
+  fi
+  # Best-effort clean reboot first; fall back to SysRq, which reboots at the
+  # kernel level even when userspace is wedged in D-state (the case we guard).
+  sync &
+  systemctl reboot -ff &
+  sleep 12
+  echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/sysrq 2>/dev/null || true
+  echo b > /proc/sysrq-trigger 2>/dev/null || true
+}
+
+echo "mediapi-watchdog: watching $SOCK (reboot after ${FAILS_TO_REBOOT}x${INTERVAL}s unresponsive)" >&2
+fails=0
+while true; do
+  if ping_mpv; then
+    fails=0
+  else
+    fails=$((fails + 1))
+    echo "mediapi-watchdog: mpv ping FAILED ($fails/$FAILS_TO_REBOOT)" >&2
+    if [ "$fails" -ge "$FAILS_TO_REBOOT" ]; then
+      echo "mediapi-watchdog: mpv unresponsive ~$((INTERVAL * FAILS_TO_REBOOT))s -- rebooting" >&2
+      do_reboot
+      fails=0
+    fi
+  fi
+  sleep "$INTERVAL"
+done

systemd/mediapi-app.service.template

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=MediaPi Flask app
-After=network-online.target mediapi-kodi.service
+After=network-online.target mediapi-mpv.service
-Wants=network-online.target mediapi-kodi.service
+Wants=network-online.target mediapi-mpv.service
 
 [Service]
 Type=simple

systemd/mediapi-kodi.service.template

@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-[Unit]
-Description=Kodi media center (standalone, GBM/KMS -- the actual player)
-# Needs the DRM/HDMI + sound devices present; takes over the console VT.
-After=local-fs.target systemd-udev-settle.service sound.target
-Wants=systemd-udev-settle.service
-Conflicts=getty@tty1.service
-
-[Service]
-User=${MEDIAPI_USER}
-# Kodi on GBM needs: video+render (GPU/DRM), input (remotes/keyboard), audio
-# (HDMI/ALSA), tty (own the VT). PAMName=login gives it a real session so it
-# can take the seat's devices.
-SupplementaryGroups=video render input audio tty dialout
-PAMName=login
-TTYPath=/dev/tty1
-StandardInput=tty
-StandardOutput=journal
-StandardError=journal
-# kodi-standalone launches Kodi and relaunches it if it exits from the UI.
-ExecStart=/usr/bin/kodi-standalone
-Restart=on-failure
-RestartSec=5
-
-[Install]
-WantedBy=multi-user.target

systemd/mediapi-mpv.service.template

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=mpv video player (KMS/DRM -- the actual player)
+# Needs the DRM/HDMI + sound devices present.
+After=local-fs.target systemd-udev-settle.service sound.target
+Wants=systemd-udev-settle.service
+# Keep a login getty off the primary display so nothing else claims tty1.
+Conflicts=getty@tty1.service
+
+[Service]
+User=${MEDIAPI_USER}
+# mpv on KMS/DRM needs: video+render (GPU/DRM), input (remotes/keyboard), audio
+# (HDMI/ALSA). It becomes DRM master simply as the first/only DRM client on the
+# seat -- no PAM login session and no elevated capabilities required, provided
+# nothing else is already holding the GPU. (An older Kodi-based deploy DID hold
+# it; install.sh tears any leftover Kodi down before starting this.)
+SupplementaryGroups=video render input audio
+# Create /run/mediapi (owned by this user) for the IPC socket the app connects to.
+RuntimeDirectory=mediapi
+StandardInput=null
+StandardOutput=journal
+StandardError=journal
+# --idle keeps mpv running with no file loaded (holds the playlist between clips
+# and after the last one), so the service stays up and the app can always reach
+# the socket. Playback renders straight on KMS.
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/mpv \
+  --idle=yes \
+  --input-ipc-server=/run/mediapi/mpv.sock \
+  --no-terminal \
+  --no-input-default-bindings \
+  --fullscreen \
+  --force-window=yes \
+  --keep-open=no \
+  --vo=gpu --gpu-context=drm --hwdec=auto \
+  --ao=alsa --audio-device=alsa/hdmi:CARD=vc4hdmi0,DEV=0
+Restart=on-failure
+RestartSec=5
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target

systemd/mediapi-watchdog.service.template

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=MediaPi watchdog -- reboots the Pi if the mpv player wedges
+After=mediapi-mpv.service
+Wants=mediapi-mpv.service
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+# Runs as root (no User=): must be able to force a reboot, including via SysRq,
+# to recover a box whose player is wedged in uninterruptible D-state.
+ExecStart=${PROJECT_DIR}/scripts/mediapi-watchdog.sh
+Restart=always
+RestartSec=10
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target